I recently saw one of the many comic book hero movies that have been produced lately. It has the typical plot of good guy trying to protect the world from the bad guy who wants to take it over. It is actually one of my favorite hero movies. It has a good strong moral message and almost Biblical symbolism.
I thought to myself, as I know other parents have too, I want my child to know the difference between good and evil. Maybe this film would be a good way to demonstrate that. Kid sees good guy defeat bad guy. Sounds innocent enough. As I considered the idea further I decided that my son, who is five years old, would not be ready to watch a movie like this. Good does triumph over evil but the struggle between the two forces inevitably demonstrates itself in battles, deception, personal insults, hatred, killing, murder, betrayal, crime and many more actions that are the result of a fallen world. I felt that my son did not need to gain the graphic knowledge of how good and evil must fight. At least not yet.
In ancient history there is a similar exchange between two individuals that seemed innocent and reasonable but was very much a deception. Consider the Serpent in the Garden when he talked to Eve about the forbidden fruit? The Serpent told Eve that she would be wise like God and know good and evil if she ate the fruit. But what happened? Eve gained knowledge about evil that she did not need to have and so her nature along with her husband's, once they ate the forbidden fruit, became fallen and corrupt.
My son does not need to know the depth of evil for him to be taught good. At his young age he has not yet developed the understanding of distinguishing between the two. He does not know enough about what is good. Nor does he have the strength of character to resist what is bad. How many times in one day does any child succumb to the simplist temptations to hit, whine, throw a fit or take a toy? Their maturity is not developed. Their fallen nature has not been brought to submission by their will. As a parent I have the responsibility to protect my son's heart and mind. I am the gate keeper to his soul. I have been given the privilege and care of training and teaching him. I must know when it is time to share knowledge that unfortunately he must know because of the fallen world we live in. It is that dark knowledge that our souls were never meant to bear.
Parents, do not fall for the subtle deception the Serpent convinced Eve to accept. Guard your child's innocence. They have been given to your care.
